Homemade bath store Soak opens in downtown Cape

A new bath store opened in downtown Cape Girardeau on April 5, only a few blocks from SEMO’s campus. The store offers a new angle on bath and soap.

The store showcases different types of bath bars, bombs, scrubs and butters. There are two tables in the middle of the store where customers can create their own bath bomb and bath soap. All of the items in Soak are made from scratch by the owner Melissa Jackson.

The shop also features earrings, necklaces, robes and other items made by local artists.

Jackson said she wanted to create something in the area different than the typical bath store chains Lush or Bath and Body Works.

Soak offers many different scented bar soaps, bath bombs, and body butters.Photo by Micah McClain

“Not that I’m trying to be like them, but I do love their products, and we don’t have anything close to that down here in Cape Girardeau,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she plans on having more custom items in the future. The customer can visit and choose the ingredients they want in their face masks, soaps and custom perfume.

Jackson took science and business classes while in college, which helped her develop this business.

“The stuff that I learned in college, taking some of the chemistry and business courses, did help me with this business while learning how to make the soap,” Jackson said.

Jackson said towards the end of May, she will host workshops and parties at the shop. The workshops will be open for anyone to sign up for, and the parties will be private events that are open for booking.

Soak employee Gary Cooper, Jr. said Soak could be a great place to grab a gift for anyone in your life.

The owner is offering a fun way to get students excited about her store. On Tuesdays, she said will be giving a discount to students who bring in their student ID.

Semo college senior Lauren Greenlee said she is excited to check out Soak and their products.

Other items such as jewelry are showcased at Soak from local vendors!Photo by Micah McClain

“It is hard to find gifts in downtown Cape that are cheap for college students, so knowing Soak will offer a good discount plus cheap prices, I’m all in,” Greenlee said.

Soak offers shipping to customers’ houses, and customers can also order online and have items picked up the same day.

Soak is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are located at 417 Broadway St. in downtown Cape Girardeau. For more information, visit soakbbb.com.